Mobile took one more step towards making NASCAR’s return to the Port City a reality with 21 cars testing at Mobile International Speedway on Saturday in preparation for the Inaugural NASCAR K&N Mobile 150 presented by the Mobile Sports Authority.
NASCAR teams were quick to show speed at Alabama’s fastest half mile and speed makes for happy drivers. “This place is a blast,” offered Collin Cabre.
“Our cars are so close on speed there is going to be lot of pushing and shoving,” said Ronnie Basssett Jr.
Sarah Cornett-Ching who will be the only driver who competes in the Inaugural NASCAR K & N Mobile 150 and in last year’s ARCA Mobile 200; “We have so much fun here, the K & N cars are really quick and we should have a great race!”
After hundreds of laps of testing, South Carolina’s Kyle Benjamin stood on top of the speed charts at an average speed close to 109 MPH. Benjamin is no stranger to Mobile International Speedway having won his first Late Model race in Mobile in 2011(Picture left) and has been the runner up twice in the ARCA Mobile 200.
Benjamin who has already been tagged a favorite by the national media solidly placed the bullseye on the back of his FEVR Tech machine by turning the fastest lap in testing.
“I have so much fun here, the track is so fast with lots of room to race. Our guys at Ranier Racing have given me a great race car. I’m really looking forward to coming back Saturday.”
Saturday’s test was the beginning of the fastest week in Alabama that will culminate in the Inaugural NASCAR K & N Mobile 150 on Saturday March 12th at 2:00PM. For tickets call 251-343-2929.
Complete list of drivers and best times during test:
1 40 Kyle Benjamin 18.156
2 5 Justin Hayley 18.186
3 41 Spencer Davis 18.207
4 12 Harrison Burton 18.215
5 38 Tyler Dippel 18.229
6 29 Jessie Little 18.251
7 13 Hunter Baize 18.272
8 30 Dominique Van Wieringen 18.305
9 3 Kaz Grala 18.399
10 1 Austin Theriault 18.459
11 04 Ronnie Bassett Jr. 18.492
12 6 Ruben Garcia Mateos 18.508
13 39 Travis Miller 18.635
14 46 Brandon Gdovic 18.661
15 02 Sarah Cornett-Ching 18.717
16 09 Chirstian Celaya 18.781
17 49 John Holleman 18.792
18 4 Ali Kern 18.839
19 77 Clayton Green 18.872
*Not all cars used transponders during the test
